New national parks for Victoria celebrated

Conservation groups are celebrating new national parks in central west Victoria after the passing of legislation in Victorian Parliament upper house. 

‘We’re really excited to see new national and conservation parks in central west Victoria. It’s a massive win for nature, climate and communities,’ said Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director Matt Ruchel. 

The creation of Wombat-Lerderderg, Mount Buangor and Pyrenees national parks and other conservation reserves will protect tens of thousands of hectares of habitat. They will also safeguard hundreds of rare and threatened plants, animals and fungi, including Greater Gliders, Mt Cole Grevilleas, Brush-tailed Phascogales, Mountain Skinks and Powerful Owls. They will be Victoria’s first substantial new national parks in 14 years. Places for all to enjoy. 

‘These forests are vital refuges in a heavily cleared landscape.’ 

‘This is a great result for the community and the many groups and individuals who advocated tirelessly for decades to protect nature. They spent countless hours documenting threatened wildlife, to keep irreplaceable habitats safe from exploitation and neglect.’ said Ruchel. 

‘We were thrilled to see the very sensible amendments put forward by the Greens, supported by Animal Justice Party and Legalise Cannabis Party, which the government backed at the last minute to prohibit deer hunting in the new parts of Mt Buangor National Park. It's a victory for common-sense - high-powered guns don't mix with walking trails, picnic areas or school camps.’  

‘Wombat Forest is home to beautiful habitats, threatened wildlife and vital water catchments,’ said Gayle Osborne, spokesperson for local group Wombat Forestcare. ‘Today’s legislation finally gives these forests the permanent legal protection they deserve and is a real point of community celebration after all the years of hard teamwork.’ 

A formal process to assess the need for greater protection of these landscapes began in 2017. The conclusion of that process was recommendations for many new parks and smaller conservation reserves, which were agreed to and promised by the Victorian Government in 2021. Local community groups have been campaigning for decades and advocated for that process to take place.

‘Wellsford Forest is an amazing place with so much variety in trees and vegetation. We’re all pretty knocked out by the big Ironbarks, but Wellsford has many different special areas. Its Grey Box Grassy Woodland is a remnant of what the northern plains were once like... No wonder the Swift Parrots drop in here (over 400 counted this year) on their yearly migration from Tassie. They’ve got good taste!’ said Bendigo District Environment Council spokesperson Wendy Radford. 

Once these parks are gazetted, a final formality that will make them official, they will be under the permanent care of Parks Victoria and the community. 

Conservation groups are calling on the Victorian Government to back the parks with funding that reflects their ecological and cultural significance, so everyone can enjoy thriving forests, flowing rivers and abundant wildlife. 

‘Legislation is just the beginning,’ emphasised Osborne. ‘Now we need to make sure these parks stay healthy for generations. We need funding for restoration, weed and feral animal control.’ 

Radford agreed: ‘We now need resourcing that matches the importance of what we’ve protected.’ 

The iconic river red gum forest parks along the Murray River were created 14 years ago, the last major national parks created in Victoria. To make sure the parks would flourish, the Brumby Labor Government committed $38 million for new rangers, habitat restoration and park infrastructure. The Allan Government are yet to announce a funding commitment for the new central west parks. 

‘With stronger nature laws, Traditional Owner partnerships, and community support, we can now focus on making sure the parks are looked after,’ concluded Ruchel. 

The legislation fulfils several long-standing government commitments: 

• Three new national parks: Wombat-Lerderderg, Mount Buangor and Pyrenees  

• Three new conservation parks: Cobaw and Hepburn in central west, and Mirboo North in west Gippsland  

• Wellsford Forest added to Bendigo Regional Park  

• Wimmera Heritage River expanded  

• Small addition to Brisbane Ranges National Park. 

The legislation does not include over 30 smaller nature conservation reserves, bushland reserves and regional parks promised as part of protecting nature in central west Victoria. These are expected to be created under different legislation. 

However, recreation and conservation groups are disappointed by the decision to allow deer hunting in Errinundra and Snowy River national parks under the same legislation. This move contradicts previous commitments and endorsed park management plans and undermines the fundamental purpose of national parks as safe refuges for wildlife and visitors.